Grounded Reason

Home » Internet Access » Using Your Own Cable Modem

Using Your Own Cable Modem

Updated on 2023-02-13 By Dennis Restauro

cable modem
One way cable TV and telephone companies increase your bill is by having you rent their equipment. If you’ve cut the cable cord but still use your former pay-TV provider for a standalone internet plan, you may want to check your bill and see if you are being charged a rental fee for a modem and/or router that they supply.

If they are, you could be losing over $100 a year in charges you don’t need to pay. The cost to replace the modem can typically be recouped in less than a year. In this article, I’ll explain which modem you need based on your provider. You can then stop handing over more money than necessary to your internet service provider.

What Does a Modem Do?

The word “modem” is the short term we use for modulator/demodulator. Essentially it encodes and decodes electrical impulses into information passed over a wire. Those that remember or still use dial-up internet use a phone modem to encode and decode digital information used by a computer into analog signals that can be sent over the phone line.

A cable modem is doing a slightly different job. Its job is to simply isolate a transmission path to send your network data over the same lines cable TV is carried on. It then functions as a modem to encode the information for use on your network via Ethernet or WiFi.

Cable companies use a transmission standard called Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification or DOCSIS. This is important to know because the modem, you will need must use the DOCSIS standard. The modem will take a coaxial input on one side and an Ethernet output on the other. From there, the Ethernet cable is plugged into a home router.

DOCSIS 3.1 vs DOCSIS 3.0

Currently, most cable companies offer a gigabit internet service. However, they typically require a DOCSIS 3.1 modem to take advantage of that speed. They are considerably more expensive than a DOCSIS 3.0 router which majority of cable companies will support for speeds below that.

However, I’ve installed a DOCSIS 3.0 modem with Xfinity home internet and received downloads speeds up to 400 Mbps. So, a DOCSIS 3.0 modem can still deliver home internet at ridiculously fast speeds.

Modem Vs Router

Cable companies sometimes supply a modem/router combo device.  I’ve found that these devices make for poor routers, leaving less than desirable WiFi coverage in your home. In most cases, it’s better to purchase a router separate from your cable modem.

This allows you to purchase the router of your choice and is much cheaper to upgrade in the future, as you can upgrade either your modem or your router when needed, and not both. I find purchasing an affordable quality wireless router and a separate cable modem will be cheaper than purchasing one device to do both functions.

I explain the technical aspects of how to use your own equipment in your home in the following articles:

Improving home WiFi – While this article is about in-home WiFi, it’s very in depth on home networking. It goes into detail on all considerations when putting together your home network, from the cable modem, to the router, to the switches and wireless access points.

How to Use Your Own Router with Your ISP – This article explains how to set up your Cable Modem by cable provider. This article assumes you are using your provider’s equipment, but explains the difference between your modem and router in more detail.

Choosing A Cable Modem

I recommend the following modems based on your internet service provider.

Modem for Cable Company (Comcast, Cox, Time Warner, etc.)

If your internet is provided from a major cable company like Comcast/Xfinity, Cox, Charter, Time Warner, Mediacom, Bright House then you will need a DOCSIS 3.0 Cable modem for most speeds under 1 Gbps.

However, you have to be careful. Not all cable modems support the providers highest tier speed.

Best Cable Modem For Most

To help you through the confusion,  I looked for the best modem to buy based on price, provider compatibility, and speed. Ideally, you want to get the cable modem that will offer the best speeds from the most providers. This will give you the freedom to switch companies or move and still use your modem.

With that in mind, I recommend the Netgear CM500 DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem. It’s compatible with most providers and has a top download speed of  960 Mbps.  Therefore, it will support all but gigabit tier internet. Here is a breakdown by cable provider.

Comcast – Supports up to 300 Mbps tier. If you Xfinity 400 Mbps service then you will need the Netgear CM600.

Cox Communications – Supports up to their “Ultimate plan,” which is all plans but their Gigabit service.

Charter\Spectrum Communications – Supports all tiers

Optimum\Cablevision – Supports up to their 200 Mbps plan. If you want to get their 300 Mbps or 400 Mbps plan then you should opt for the Netgear CM700.

Suddenlink Communications – Supports up to their 500 Mbps service. Otherwise, you will need the Netgear CM700 for download speeds between 500 Mbps and 1 Gbps.

Mediacom – Supports up to 200 Mbps. You will  Netgear CM700 for their 500 Mbps service.

WOW! – Supports up to their 500 Mbps plan.

Cable One – Supports up to their 300 Mbps plan. You will need the Netgear CM700 for speeds between 600 Mbps and 1 Gbps.

Best Modem For Gigabit Speeds

Currently, most providers are using DOCSIS 3.0 to deliver their highest speed. The Netgear CM700 covers the top plans from all providers except for Comcast/Xfinity, WOW!, and Cox. If you want the gigabit plan from those providers, you will need a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem. For those plans, I recommend the ARRIS SurfBoard SB8200.

Telco Internet (ATT&U-verse & FiOS)

With Verizon FiOS, you don’t need to have a modem. Both can actually run Ethernet into your house which eliminates the need for a cable modem. I explain how to do this in my article on using your own router with Verizon Fios.

Fios will actually deliver Internet over Ethernet, eliminating the need for a cable modem altogether. The reason they typically set you up with a modem in the first place is to utilize the existing coaxial cable that are in most homes.

Unfortunately,  AT&T U-verse seems to require you use their own equipment.

Stop Renting From Your ISP

Renting equipment from Cable and Telecom companies can be avoided.  Buying and setting up your equipment is easier than you think.  In most cases, you just need to plug the modem in, connect it to a router, and turn the devices on.  It’s that simple.

If you have any issues, simply call your provider. In most cases, the solution is simply a matter of adding you’re a modem to your account. So if you are renting equipment, stop now and start saving some of that hard earned money.

About The Author

Dennis Restauro

Dennis started Grounded Reason in 2014 to share his expertise in streaming devices, streaming services, local networking, and cutting the cord on cable TV. His expertise has been leveraged by The Washington Post, Forbes, Kiplinger, The Fiscal Times, podcasts, and other media. Dennis has spent over 25 years working in technology for the public and the private sector as a systems administrator and enterprise systems architect. Dennis is a graduate of Towson University with a degree in Computer Science. See Dennis on LinkedIn.

View all posts by Dennis Restauro

*Disclosure: Grounded Reason is supported by a small commission for purchases made through product links on this website. We do not accept compensation from companies attempting to sway our review of products.

Need More Information?

If this article didn't answer your specific question, head over to our Home Page! It will guide you to affordable internet providers, streaming services to meet your needs, information on antennas, and many more tools and resources to help you save money on TV and Internet access.

For the latest news tips and tricks on cutting the cord and other tech topics be sure to like our Facebook Page.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 Grounded Reason LLC, All rights reserved.

MENU
  • Streaming Services
    • DIRECTV STREAM
    • Hulu
    • Philo
    • FuboTV
    • YouTube TV
    • Netflix
    • Prime Video
    • Peacock
    • Paramount+
    • Disney+
    • Max
    • ESPN+
    • Apple TV+
    • Other Streaming Services
  • Streaming Basics
  • Stream Sports
    • Streaming NFL Games
      • Arizona Cardinals
      • Atlanta Falcons
      • Baltimore Ravens
      • Buffalo Bills
      • Carolina Panthers
      • Chicago Bears
      • Cincinnati Bengals
      • Cleveland Browns
      • Dallas Cowboys
      • Denver Broncos
      • Detroit Lions
      • Green Bay Packers
      • Houston Texans
      • Indianapolis Colts
      • Jacksonville Jaguars
      • Kansas City Chiefs
      • Las Vegas Raiders
      • Los Angeles Chargers
      • Los Angeles Rams
      • Miami Dolphins
      • Minnesota Vikings
      • New England Patriots
      • New Orleans Saints
      • New York Giants
      • New York Jets
      • Philadelphia Eagles
      • Pittsburgh Steelers
      • San Francisco 49ers
      • Seattle Seahawks
      • Tennessee Titans
      • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
      • Washington Commanders
    • Streaming NBA Games
      • Atlanta Hawks
      • Boston Celtics
      • Brooklyn Nets
      • Charlotte Hornets
      • Chicago Bulls
      • Cleveland Cavaliers
      • Dallas Mavericks
      • Denver Nuggets
      • Detroit Pistons
      • Golden State Warriors
      • Houston Rockets
      • Indiana Pacers
      • LA Clippers
      • Los Angeles Lakers
      • Memphis Grizzlies
      • Miami Heat
      • Milwaukee Bucks
      • Minnesota Timberwolves
      • New Orleans Pelicans
      • New York Knicks
      • Oklahoma City Thunder
      • Orlando Magic
      • Philadelphia 76ers
      • Phoenix Suns
      • Portland Trail Blazers
      • Sacramento Kings
      • San Antonio Spurs
      • Toronto Raptors
      • Utah Jazz
      • Washington Wizards
    • Streaming NHL Games
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • Calgary Flames
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Florida Panthers
      • LA Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Nashville Predators
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Vegas Golden Knights
      • Washington Capitals
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • PGA Tour
    • Other Sports
    • MLB
  • Stream Any Channel
  • Stream Local Networks
  • Compare Streaming Devices
  • Stream TV Shows